Monthly Archive for July, 2013

: July, 2013

UPDATED with statement from Rep. Phil King. Hours after Texas Republican lawmakers finalized some of the toughest abortion restrictions in the country and Planned Parenthood announced it would close three southeast Texas clinics, Republicans filed a bill to ban abortions as early as six weeks, when a fetal heartbeat can be detected. State Rep. Phil King, …

On the same day Gov. Rick Perry signed into law some of the most stringent abortion restrictions in the country, Planned Parenthood announced it would close three clinics in southeast Texas. Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast announced the facilities, located in Bryan, Huntsville and Lufkin, will be closing at the end of August. Each of them …

By Jayme Fraser and Kolten Parker Gov. Rick Perry signed a controversial abortion regulations bill into law Thursday morning in friendly company. Perry gave Sen. Lucio, D-Brownsville, a hug after walking onto the stage where dozens of Republican legislators stood ready for Perry to ink the measure. Only the press, staff and invited guests were …

The head of the Texas Department of Public Safety on Wednesday stood by his agency’s report that more than a dozen jars of ‘suspected feces’ and other items were confiscated from activists attempting to enter the senate gallery last Friday with intentions to throw projectiles onto the senate floor. In a response to state Rep. Donna …

A San Antonio judge was assigned on Tuesday to hear a complaint that alleges Gov. Rick Perry committed coercion, bribery and official oppression by vetoing funding for the Travis County District Attorney’s Public Integrity Unit. Senior Judge Robert Richardson of the 379th District Court will now hear the complaint, which was filed by Texans for Public …

Sen. Wendy Davis, fresh off declaring victory in a redistricting battle with Attorney General Greg Abbott, has spent almost $200,000 in campaign cash to defend her Senate district from being retooled by state Republicans, records show. Davis’ campaign finance reports — the most recent made public late Monday — provide a snapshot of how often …

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, wasting almost no time before capitalizing on the political victory delivered by passing tough new abortion restrictions, released a re-election ad Tuesday focused around scenes and sounds from the impassioned debate over the signature piece of conservative legislation. It’s titled “Defender of the Pre-Born,” and is a roughly two-minute video that …

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst raised more than $1.2 million during the June 17-30 period, Texas Politics has learned. Dewhurst’s filing will also show he now has more than $1.7 million cash on hand and spent about $1 million during the most recent period. That gives Dewhurst, a multi-millionaire who self-funded his failed U.S. Senate run …

The House Select Committee on Transparency in State Agency on Operations postponed hearings on the possible impeachment of University of Texas regent Wallace Hall until August to allow time to hire an attorney and investigators. The committee met Monda… …

Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, said he raised $100,000 in the first 72 hours following his announcement for lieutenant governor on June 27, bringing his total cash reserves up to $2.1 million. He has joined two other Republican officeholders — Land Com… …